Last February, Oracle introduced a new Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Cloud Program to provide organizations with technical and go-to-market assistance. Today, according to Oracle, the OPN program has 25,000 partners worldwide, over 200 specializations, 5,000 specialized partners and 150,000 certified partners. As the OPN Cloud Program marked its 1-year anniversary, Kimberly Lasseter, senior director of World Wide Alliances and Channels for the Oracle PartnerNetwork program, reflected on what has been achieved to date and what's ahead for Oracle partners.
The OPN Cloud Program was introduced to help partners accelerate the growth of their Oracle Cloud business, enabling them to spotlight their Oracle Cloud expertise, vertical market offerings, and their success with customers through new tiers of recognition and progressive benefits, said Lasseter. “The new cloud program was launched to help partners rapidly grow their cloud business with Oracle Cloud, support and motivate existing partners to pivot to the Oracle Cloud, and help attract and recruit new cloud-centric partners to Oracle,” said Lasseter. “With this program, Oracle PartnerNetwork offers a comprehensive portfolio of cloud programs to enable partners to realize the competitive advantages offered through Oracle Cloud. “
The program is designed to address key issues and problems, she noted. “Customers are looking for the right partners to deliver solutions to help streamline and grow their businesses.” In addition to helping them to showcase their expertise, skills, and investment in the Oracle Cloud, the program enables them to differentiate themselves with Oracle’s Integrated Cloud Applications and Platform Services, and the program’s tiered cloud designations complement existing OPN program levels.
“We continue to look for ways to evolve the program to better serve our partners and our customers,” said Lasseter. “Partners will continue to see updated marketing, sales, enablement, and development benefits that will specifically relate to the type of business they do with Oracle." In the future, she said, the strategy will continue to focus on "cloud first, collaboration, and customer advocacy.”